Sarah-Jane Lipsh*tz - Educational Psychologist

23/09/2020

Life as we know it is extremely wierd right now, even though here in South Africa we have moved into level 1 with the virus - we are still grappling with social isolation and awkwardness around space and place. The novelty of the COVID Cocoon has fallen away and we are left in the dark trying to figure out the next steps.

In my therapy practice I’m seeing clients grappling with stress, anxiety, trauma, and a whole host of other issues. It’s important to realize that experiencing this new level of “normal” definitely contributes to a new level of stress.

I also believe that technology contributes to our stress load. Especially social media. There is a direct link between social media and mental health. I have deleted most social media apps and definitely feel a lot clearer with more room to think. Facebook, whilst addictive is a necessity especially if it is a platform to talk to clients. In saying this, I am making a mental note of how long I spend on my own page and I suggest you do the same.

Don’t be afraid to have a social media free day. Instead of reaching for your phone the minute you wake up, say a silent prayer of gratitude for waking up to another day and drink a full glass of water. Your body and your mind will thank you for this simple act. Practice being present in the moment and if you are lucky enough to have a garden, go outside and let your feet feel the warm soft grass.

Life is heavy at the moment. We need to do what we can to lighten the load. Reach out and check in with your loved ones. People may say they are okay, but some are afraid to not be okay. Those may be excellent at putting on a brave face.

Please contact me if you are one of those

Love and blessings 🌸
SJ

29/07/2020

Here are some tips to handle the dual roles of Parent and Teacher you may find yourself in during this time.

It’s important not to focus completely on your role as a teacher but rather focus on a role of facilitator and task manager. In addition, a conducive learning environment is crucial for both you and your child.

1. Set up a daily schedule for yourself and your child and a desk station preferably near to each other.

2. Take advantage of your gaps and use them to help your child with his or her tasks. Trust yourself. Parents intuitively know how their child learns and they are able to explain certain concepts to things in ways they will grasp easily. Encourage and support your child where you can.

3. Foster independence by allowing your child to try the tasks on his own. If he or she is learning online( this pertains to older children 8 years and up ) make a place where his or her zoom IDs and passwords can be seen easily - this is so he or she can try copy the passwords to login etc.

4. Colour coding works well at helping distinguish different subjects and their times.

5. Explain to your child that you are working and that you will be available to help him or her when you can but remember panic moments happen and you need to be available for those.

6. Set up a time for homework and use it as a dual learning time for both you and your child. For example if your child is learning about adjectives, write a story together where he or she can show you how much he or she has learnt.

7. If you are both having a stressful time, head into the kitchen for some mind clearing and calm. Make a hot cup of tea for both of you and reassess the situation. It’s always important to sit together and work out your goals. Remember to praise your child for work done well.

Research has shown that children who have both their parents available in their formative years benefits them and contributes greatly to their overall development. Take advantage of this time together.

Sarah-Jane Li****tz

29/07/2020

I was recently interviewed by a lovely journalist Gillian Klawansky. See my article for Living and Loving Magazine below

https://www.livingandloving.co.za/family/the-benefits-of-lockdown-for-your-family

With lockdown came the kind of slowness that families never knew existed. And that’s exactly what we needed, says this expert.

23/07/2020

Seven ways to help your child during Lock-down.

Our children have found themselves in a very different space lately. It’s as if their whole worlds have changed, as a result some feel very vulnerable, nervous and concerned. They have not had a proper goodbye to every day life. Furthermore, children used to find themselves outside the home for a large part of their day, now they are home for most of the day. They haven't been able to have arrangements with their friends nor see their close extended family members. Thankfully online learning and interaction allows for more connection than ever before, but close face to face interaction can never be replaced. None of us know when this pandemic will end and children don't do too well with uncertainty. How do they feel about all of this? How do they process these emotions? Here are some tips you can use to help your child's mental health and when he or she tries to navigate those overwhelming feelings.

1 Talk about the losses, explain that this will not last forever and they will go back to school and they will see their friends and family. This is a temporary period but its also a special one because we get to spend so much more time together. Life as we knew it was a very busy one and we found ourselves struggling to catch up with our own lives. Re-frame it and make it the experience as positive for them as you can.

2. Keep to a daily routine and make sure you have lots of outside time. Children are spending more time online now and need more time out in nature to balance this out.

3. Sit down together and talk about their day, their feelings about friends, online learning and their highs and lows of their day.
Create together and journal together, reflecting on everyone's feelings. Younger children do well with drawing their feelings. Older kids may want to keep a diary.

4. Take care of yourself first. If you are feeling overwhelmed and your mind is scrambled with all the depressing news and social media all around you make sure that you take some time out for yourself. Go for a walk on your own, call a friend and connect to your circle or do some yoga in the garden to center yourself and collect your thoughts. A hot bath also works wonders especially in this weather and playing with a furry friend does wonders for our souls. Do your own drawing, writing etc, find ways to express yourself and get your own emotions out. You will feel better and you will be a better parent.

5. Play with your children. You don't have to monitor their activities every second nor find entertainment for them. Let them be bored and come up with their own creative ways to entertain themselves but go and have tea with them in their play-tent and listen to their stories. They will feel very valued as a result

6. Teach them empathy, get them to focus on others and especially how to help others who need their help. Bake a batch of muffins and deliver them to someone who is ill with the virus. Get them to go through their things and find items that they no longer need or want so that it can be taken to someone who does need it. Let them play an active part in helping the world heal.

7. We are all new to this, be kind to yourself and to your children. Allow them to express how frustrated or scared they may feel. Forgive them and yourself for any mistakes you make. Cuddle them and wrap them up as much as you can so they can feel safe, warm, loved and connected.

If you, your children or teenagers are struggling during this time, please contact me via email on sarahjane@sandtontherapy.co.za or send a WhatsApp message to 0834381768.

22/07/2020

This article is inspiring, there are truly benefits to experience during this Confinement. I for one have found that my children have grown closer, are spending copious amounts of time outside in the garden and time has magically frozen. We are happier, there is less anxiety,less pressure and more room for growth, creation and expression. Once our lives restart again, I will definitely be making changes as I know now that I cannot keep up with the frenetic pace of life as it was and I am sure I am not the only one.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/blog/out-the-darkness/202003/the-benefits-confinement?fbclid=IwAR1UtxyHZBuJzERemtHZN3TeFdbzVBZWZ5RJNtwYcDHmUuz2T7xzO3OE_PQ

How the coronavirus lockdown may have some positive effects.

07/07/2020